No. 144.] 29 



sen supplies them with charcoal ; the burning mountain of Iwogas- 

 ima throws out immense quantities of sulphur ; in Fifen they 

 have white clay, of which they make all kinds of porcelainware; 

 quantities of wood come from Tossa. Nagatta breeds oxen, Sat- 

 zuma, horses; Cauga, rice; Tsikusen, chestnuts; Wakasa, figs, 

 and fruits generally ; the coasts of Oki afford an abundance of 

 shell fish, and other coasts supply quantities offish. All sorts of 

 medicines are found among their numerous mountains and valleys, 

 and cereals in many provinces. 



The Japanese are superior in the workmanship of gold, brass, 

 silver, and copper, and particularly ingenious in^ carving, gilding, 

 graving, &c. They weave silken stuffs so fine, so neat, and equal, 

 that they are inimitable even to the Chinese. This is the com- 

 mon amusement of the great men of the Emperor's court, when 

 in disgrace, and banished to certain islands where they have 

 nothing else to do. Their beer, which they call saki, is brewed 

 out of rice; it is stronger and better than that of the Chinese. 

 Their paper, made out of mulberry, is superior to the Chinese, 

 made out of seed and cotton. All their varnished or Japaned 

 household goods are amazingly fine. Their skill is great in the 

 manufacture of varnish, and laying it on. They are found want- 

 ing in embellishments of the mind and philosophy, and are en- 

 tirely ignorant of music, so far as harmony is concerned. They 

 are ignorant of mathematics. They are rather expert in physic, 

 but ignorant of surgery, and make use of two external remedies, 

 fire and the needle. They are particularly fond of bathing and 

 sweating themselves in ovens, which conduces to their general 

 health. 



Justice is readily obtained in Japan. The case is laid before 

 the proper court of judicature, the parties heard, the witnesses 

 examined, the circumstances considered, and judgment given 

 without loss of time ; nor can they appeal, since no superior court 

 can mitigate the sentence pronounced in another, though inferior. 

 Liberty of conscience so far prevails among the Japanese, that 

 they never condemn a religion, and there are many established 

 in their empire. They profess a great respect and veneration for 

 their gods, and worship them in sundry ways ; and in the prac- 



